Injured Noah sits out 2nd straight game

Bulls face decisions on team options on Korver, Brewer, Watson

Joakim Noah ditched the walking boot protecting his severely sprained left ankle and even shot free throws at the tail end of Tuesday's morning shootaround.

But Noah missed his second straight game with the injury, which he suffered in the third quarter of Game 3, and his return isn't imminent.

"He's moving around a lot better," coach Tom Thibodeau said.

Thibodeau took his song-and-dance routine regarding injuries to a new level, saying in his media session 90 minutes before tipoff that Noah was a game-time decision. Asked if that meant Noah would warm up, Thibodeau spoke in generalities.

"He's still doing different things," he said.

Omer Asik again started for Noah, who didn't warm up and declined to address reporters.

Asked how Noah looked at the shootaround, Kyle Korver quipped, "He pedaled really well," referring to Noah's work on a stationary bicycle.

Options, options: With Derrick Rose's maximum contract extension beginning in 2012-13, the Bulls face financial decisions with team options on Korver, Ronnie Brewer and C.J. Watson. With Rose out a significant portion of next season, Watson is the likeliest of the three to return.

Jimmy Butler has played a similar role to Brewer, albeit in limited minutes.

"I feel I have a good situation here, so I hope it continues," Brewer said. "If we go different ways, it's part of basketball. Thibs is a great coach. I have great teammates, great city, great fans.

"Unfortunately, I haven't been playing that well in the playoffs. I haven't been in the rotation the way I thought I would be. But that's part of the territory."

The Bulls plan to match any offer Asik receives in restricted free agency. The maximum he can receive is the mid-level salary cap exception.

Sight seen: Rose teased emotions when he strolled down a United Center hallway in his uniform, wearing no brace to protect the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Later in street clothes, Rose said he isn't ready to address the media at length but said it's killing him not to play.

Rose continues to do leg-strengthening exercises and regain full range of motion in advance of his surgery, which hasn't been scheduled. He watched with family and friends from a luxury suite.

"He's a fierce competitor," Thibodeau said. "We expect him to approach his rehab the same way he approaches everything else and fully recover."